Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Stereo Dub Lyrics

The lyrics of Stereo Dub’s “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” portray a pessimistic view of the world, suggesting that people will always aspire to dominate and control others. The first line, “Welcome to your life, there's no turning back,” acknowledges the inevitability of being born into a society where individuals are driven to attain power and control. This is reinforced by the line, “Even while we sleep, we will find you,” which suggests the constant, insidious nature of the desire for control.

The lyrics also suggest that individuals who aspire to dominance must sacrifice their values and principles, as noted in the line, “Acting on your best behaviour, turn your back on mother nature”. This implies that being true to yourself will not lead to success, and instead one must act unscrupulously to achieve control. However, despite these sacrifices and efforts, the song argues that nothing ever lasts forever, suggesting that even those who attain power will eventually face a fall from grace.

The final verse offers a glimpse of hope within this bleak interpretation of the world, suggesting the possibility for genuine connection and solidarity. The lyrics describe a room “where the light won't find you,” indicating a place outside of the oppressive systems of power that exist in the world. Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down, the singer offers to stand with the person they are addressing even when they face challenges or opposition. The final chorus repeats the titular phrase, emphasizing the universality of the desire for power and control.